Leading agribusiness consultancy and project development firm, Agri-Impact Limited has officially signed a partnership agreement with the Mastercard Foundation to lead the implementation of the Sustainable Aquaculture for Women Advancement (SAWA) Program, a transformative initiative designed to unlock economic opportunities for young women in Ghana’s aquaculture sector.
The SAWA Program is a women-centred initiative that seeks to create 60,000 dignified and fulfilling jobs for young women aged 18–35 years, including 3,000 young women with disabilities, across the aquaculture value chain.
By expanding access to skills, productive resources, enterprise opportunities, and markets, the programme aims to strengthen women’s participation and leadership in Ghana’s growing blue economy.
In addition to its employment objectives, the programme is expected to contribute 50,000 metric tonnes of fish to Ghana’s aquaculture production, supporting national food security, improving nutrition, and enhancing the country’s blue economy.
The SAWA Program is being implemented by Agri-Impact Ltd in collaboration with a consortium of strategic partners, including Newage Agric Solutions Ltd, AgroKings Limited, the Fisheries Commission, R&B Farms, CEL, and TechnoServe. The programme is further strengthened by anchor partners namely Aglow, Afrigem, and Naple Betta, with research and technical support provided by the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR).
Implementation of the programme is anchored on four strategic pillars:
* Gender, Disability Inclusion, Safeguarding and Capacity Building
* Production Expansion and Productivity Enhancement
* Value Addition and Market Development
* Aquaculture Ecosystem Strengthening
Through these pillars, SAWA will promote inclusive entrepreneurship, improve productivity, strengthen market systems, and create an enabling environment for sustainable growth within Ghana’s aquaculture industry.
The SAWA Program marks Agri-Impact Limited’s second major partnership with the Mastercard Foundation, following the successful implementation of the Harnessing Agricultural Productivity and Prosperity for Youth (HAPPY) Program.
Since its inception, the HAPPY Program has enabled over 275,000 young people to access dignified work opportunities towards its target of 326,000 jobs by 2027.
Speaking on the partnership, Agri-Impact Limited reaffirmed its commitment to advancing inclusive economic development by ensuring that young women including those with disabilities have equitable access to employment, entrepreneurship, and leadership opportunities within Ghana’s aquaculture sector.
The SAWA Program officially commences in July 2026 and will run through June 2030, positioning itself as one of Ghana’s most ambitious investments in women’s economic empowerment, sustainable aquaculture, and inclusive blue economy development.
About Agri-Impact Limited
Agri-Impact Ltd is a leading agribusiness and development organisation committed to creating sustainable employment opportunities for young people, women, and vulnerable populations through innovative, market-driven agricultural interventions.
The organisation partners with governments, development agencies, the private sector, and local communities to build inclusive, resilient, and competitive agricultural value chains across Ghana.
